At Five in the Afternoon
Ah, that fatal five in the afternoon.
It was five by all clocks.
It was five in the shade of the afternoon.
Oh God forgive my sins.
Tell pious men to close their eyes...
on women and...
control their lust...
That is more chastely
God is aware of their actions
And women stamp not their feet on the ground lest
their hidden beauties become evident.
Oh God forgive my sins.
Schoolgirls must wear black dress and white scarf
Why have you put on a colored dress, Noqreh?
Madam? What?
Madam£¬If I wear uniform
my father won't let me come to school
Why?
He believes women shouldn't go to school.
Why not?
Sit down.
Dept. of Education has sent a notice for us...
to ask students...
about their future careers
For example
those who want to be teachers
raise your hands
Thanks.
Put down your hands
Now
Those who want to be engineers
please stand.
Those who want to contribute more¡­
to the country
And who want to be doctors
do the same.
Sit down please.
Most importantly,
who wants to be Afghanistan's next president?
Afghanistan's next president
Very well.
How can an Afghan woman in burka...
with a child become president?
Have you seen a childless woman?
People won't choose a woman to be president.
But she's worthy and capable of becoming president.
Burka won't stay on us forever
and the child will grow up.
Did you ever study women's history?
Do you understand?
Your parents don't let you attend school
or wear uniform
How can you become president?
A wise and brave girl chooses for herself.
I made my decision
and it's not my family's business.
We are Muslims.
A Muslim girl can never raise¡­
and claim herself president
Have you ever seen a Muslim woman president?
Her eminence Ayesheh, the Prophet's wife?
Not every woman can be her.
Why men can be president but women can't?
I lost my father and brothers
in a male-ruled regime not a women-ruled government.
I lived in Pakistan for a few years
Binazir Butto was premier there
Remember India's premier was a woman, Indira Gandhi?
She said women could rule for generations
She spoke well and worked for people
We are not other countries
We are talking about Afghanistan
When Binazir Butto was the premier though a woman herself,
she created the anti-women Taliban here
and destroyed the society
Binazir Butto is for Taliban
When she was president
Taliban is agaist woman
That's your opinion.
if I become president
I'll treat people ¡­
kindly
I'll laugh because if I cry for my sorrows
all will get sad and cry
No one understands the pain of loosing a family unless
they experiencey¡­
the same miser
I loses father and brother
Kabul is of many problems
What's wrong with Afghan women?
Girls weren't allowed in school.
Women had to stay home and couldn't work.
Afghan women were most oppressed.
Especially for girls can't go to school
We were deprived of education
Men are women's guardians
for God...
created some superior to others.
Take the bucket bring some water.
The well's dried up.
Leylomah,
any news of your husband?
No one had any news.
What am I to do?
My milk's dried up
and baby is dying of hunger and disease.
Let's take her to the doctor
We have no place. Everywhere is ruined.
Nothing habitable remains.
Follow me if you want to live in ruins.
Do you know if Pakistan's president is a man or a woman?
I don't like to answer that question
Why not?
I don't like politics. I'm after real life.
You were in Pakistan a long time.
Why don't you know the answer?
Does it matter if I know?
Does it do anything with me?
I like to know if it's a woman or a man.
Ask someone else.
I don't want to answer you
Do you know, Madam?
No, I know nothing
I was a beggar in Pakistan My son was killed
I have a daughter-in law and two grandchildren.
I'm illiterate.
My unfortunate mother
had 4 sons.
One was killed in the Russian assault
One in civil war and one by Taliban.
I'm the only one living
See what shape she's in. This is all politics.
Look there
They're not here.
Look that one
Give back our hen
That hen is ours.
You offered shelter,now accusing us of stealing your hen?
It was a little egg
that I fed and raised with no bread for myself.
and now you want me to give it back to you?
Why are you lying?
See my white hair?
I'm not lying.
I offered shelter,now you stealing our hen?
Her baby is sick.
Give it back. What are you saying?
Why are you wrongly accusing us?
You offer shelter and accuse us
I raised the little chick.
Will you swear it's yours?
No, I won't.
The chicken is ours. It's ours, ours.
Which school do you go to?
Qaleh Qazi
Will they register me too?
Why not?
Where's the address?
It's far.
Don't worry, I know that school. I'll take your daughter there.
Stay with other refugees. This room is too small for us
and you're a stranger.
My husband's not here and my baby is sick.
My food is not enough, I can't...
share the room with you.
Take one half and we'll live in the other.
Don't put up a curtain.
We won't leave.
We'll have fights everywhere.
Live together. Don't ruin the ruins more.
Look Noqreh.
They put up a curtain in our room.
What?
They are living in our room.
What should I do?
Sir
Would you take us to Barchi field?
Veil your face I'll take you
Ok, we will
Cover, it's sinful.
Veil your face
Don't talk to strangers.
Do you understand? Yes
If you had to,
put your finger in your mouth
so your voice won't
sound feminine.
Because it's sinful
Don't end up in hell¡­
for this world.
Do you hear?
Don't remove your veil.
Ok
Why did you reveal your face?
Get out. Stop. Get out. Why do you do so?
You don't take the short way to heaven
but the long one to hell?.
We part here
I found your hen
Shouldn't accuse others
Oh God forgive my sin.
You listen to music all the time.
So inconsiderate of your neighbor.
Everyone's entitled to his own faith.
Be reasonable and I'll listen.
I told you I wouldn't change this music for the world.
Why don't you listen to me?
I wouldn't change it
What kind of a Muslim are you?
I am the devil but kinder than you.
I'm shivering cold but you are in a warm room.
Your 5 times a day prayers is all lies.
Sell your music and get warm clothes.
I listen to this music either to force you out or myself.
What life is this listening to music all day?
I am alive with this music and
won't leave unless I make you go.
You can't make me go.
This music will.
If I raise it a little you'll get lost.
I turned to the devil. You'll surely get expelled too.
I won't.
Ok, tell me if you don't.
Papa we left so suddenly.
If Akhtar comes he won't find us.
He has to search for us throughout the city
Oh God what am I to do?
What am I to do?
Stop.
Do you know the night password?
No.
He doesn't know the password. Bring him down.
Who is the man?
He's my father-in-law.
We are looking for a house.¡­a shelter
At midnight?
We have no place.
What's under your burka? Don't be afraid
It's my baby. She's terribly sick.
We are hungry and thirsty.
Where are you going?
Nowhere.
What's under your burka? My umbrella.
Any arms? No
Show me....
Open.
And hold it over your head.
Where were you heading at midnight?
Looking for a house.
At 12 o'clock midnight?.
I have two women with me.
What's their relation to you?
Stop...don't move...sit down.
I brought you water.
Noqreh,
the chicken didn't lay an egg today. Baby is very hungry.
She didn't? No
What did Papa bring? Nothing
Feed her.
No milk
She sucks but there's no milk.
You have no milk and the chicken didn't lay eggs.
She'll get sicker.
She sucks my breast in vain.
No milk? Not even a drop? I haven't eaten to produce milk.
esterday I asked ¡­
the truck drivers about Akhtar.
What am I gonna do if he doesn't show up?
No one had any news.
No one knew where he was?
Father¡­
let me go search for
Akhtar today.
I'll go myself.
Advise women whose opposition opposition
and obstinacy you fear.
Punish them
And avoid them in bed
And don't oppress them if they obey you.
Hello
What are you doing here?
I want to register my mother.
To register her in school?
Just kidding
I brought my neighbor's daughter.
He registers the girls he likes.
You trouble your mother for schoolgirls?
He has to choose one.
Ride her on your bike she'll get tired.
It's ok
I'll walk with him anywhere.
I did but she fell. Now her feet hurt. I'm taking her to the doctor.
Where did you skip to last night?
My dad took us away.¡­
He doesn't like noise and women living next to strangers.
He is so bigot that we can't argue otherwise.
You brought us in your home but left yourself?
You are comfortable though.
You left us all alone.
That's unfair.
Did you hear the news last night?
What news?
Binazir Butto nominated herself ¡­
for presidency again.
Really? What was her speech?
Will she really be candidate?
It was not broadcasted
just that she is a candidate.
Can you please find me her speech?
Binazir Butto's or any president's?
Better it's a woman president's speech.
Do you want to become president?
Not yet. I want it for school.
I like to know what they say
that people vote for them.
Why people like them?
May be I'll find it.
Let's go Mom. Let's go my feet hurt badly.
What would you do for women
if you became president, Noqreh?
Tell me.
Girls didn't go to school for 5 years during the Taliban.
What will be your plan?
If I became president
I'd ask the education minister¡­
to extend and make up for women's delayed studies
So that they become teachers
so a 20-year old that I am¡­
doesn't sit with a 12-year old.
I will ask Mina a question
A rocket killed your father.
You are alone, have to make a living in the street
Taliban whipped you
If you become president what will you do with that Taliban?
What will you do with Taliban in general?
If I became president
I will bring him to here
The one who killed my father
I know him now.
He is a coachman.
When I was in the market
He whipped me
If I mentioned what did he do to me
He won't live a second
but I forgave him.
What will you do with Taliban in general?
If I were president
I will not allow them¡­
in my regime.
I won't revenge
I won't kill them
The three people on the stage¡­
They'll present their plans tomorrow for us
to choose one.
Later we'll recommend them to Dept of Education.
This is an exercise of democracy.
You shouldn't just think of ¡­
house chores
but be active outside.
Hi, I only found Karzai's speech.
Karzai's speech. Thank a lot but...
Please don't show up here. People will talk about us.
Presidents are always conservative.
People will gossip about us.
Thanks again£¬bye.
Please don't follow me.
People will gossip.
Please don't follow me.
Presidents don't beg.
Just order and I'll obey.
Ok,I order you not to come.
Father.
Papa,they are forcing their way in.
Ask the drivers ¡­
if they have news of Akhtar.
Do you know Akhtar?
Have you seen Akhtar?
What does he do? He is a truck driver.
How tall is he?
Average, green eyes
and called Akhtar.
Did you just come from Pakistan? Yes
Is their premier a man or a woman?
I don't know.
We said our prayers 5 times and fasted. We are illiterate.
I was 7 when we migrated to Pakistan by mules.
There I had my kids.
When the planes bombarded we took refuge in mountain caves.
We were full one day and hungry another.
What was he doing?
His car flipped but he was ok,
don't worry.
Was he wounded? Yes
But don't worry
I saw him. He'll be here in 2 days.
We were very worried.
He'll be released from the hospital soon.
Thanks.
Don't worry.
May I take the ewer, Papa?
I'll bring it after my ablution.
Here you are
Did you go to school or not, Noqreh?
Yes the principal told me to¡­
wear uniform
but if Papa finds out he'll get mad.
I don't like this
He never consents to women¡­
going to school or working
What should I do?
Oh God save me.
Let me pray.
What are all the noise kids?
Pack everything
we'll be leaving
Leylomah,
I'm looking for water.
I haven't found any.
Papa.
I'm looking for water for your horse, But there's no water here.
Noqreh¡­.
Yes Papa.
Did you find water?
No, I hear the sound of water but no water.
Look for water but be careful of mines.
Did you find water, Noqreh?
No Papa,
I hear the sound but no water here.
Noqreh.
I washed the clothes
Bring water so that I can wash the baby.
Where did you get water for your sheep?
The creek behind the palace.
-Is there a creek? -Yes
Look the whole city is profane.
Let me bring you hay.
You're a horse and don't understand.
You're an animal.
The world is infested with profanity.
What do you know?
You're an animal. You don't understand
I, I know
People have been killed.
The country is ruined.
Are you cold?
Let me cover you.
It'll be my fault if you catch cold.
Look at the unveiled women.
The world's become profane.
You're an animal
don't know the difference between faith ¡­
and profanity
Your only need is eating hay.
I go to get the hay
I'm tired of you too.
How will we end up?
She may catch cold.
You'll get warm, dear.
Hello sir
How do you do?
I'm ¡­Noqreh
What's¡­
your name?
What?
What's your name?
Jerome. What?
Jerome. Jerome
I'm Afghanistani
Where are¡­
you from?
I'm French. France
Who is your president?
President's name? What?
President's name?
My president's name? Yes, yes
He is Mr. Chirac. What?
Mr. Chirac
Mr. Chirac. Yes
Thanks
Stop. What do you want to do?
Hi
I¡­I'm her friend
Go back.
Ask him how their president lectured.¡­
Can I be her translator?
Please
Ask¡­
what their president said
that people elected him?
What makes¡­
him be a president?
I don't know
He says he doesn't know.
He doesn't know
Ok£¬then ask him¡­
why people voted for him?
Why do you vote for him?
I can't say, I'm just a soldier
I'm not involved in the politics
What's he saying?
He's a soldier and doesn't want to answer.
But I know the story.
People didn't like Chirac's rival
so they had no choice.
Sorry, why are you here?
Me?
Because of you
why are you here?
Me?
Because she
She will be next president of Afghanistan
Really?
Yes
What's he doing? He gave a military hail.
Do the same
In your country, president is good at words...
or good at military hail?
He'd better be in a party
So that people will support him
Then the tax will be reduced
Then he will be popular
He says run a propaganda.
to let people vote for him
I have no money
I will go to friend's home to take photo
Pay him later
You's better go now
Because they will come to control this district
Let's go, let's take photos
What post will you give me when you become president?
You'll be my chauffer.
That's so generous of you.
If you don't like it
then I'll drive. You be the president.
Didn't mean that but give me a post.
Then what do you want to be?
Is head of military
good?
Our problem always is that no one is in the right place.
I'm a poet and have no relation to military.
-Are you a poet? -Yes.
If you are a poet
Ok I'll make you head of campaign.
When you are president
your name that means silver turns to gold
but I should remain in my last position?
I'll be the driver, you be the president.
No, thanks
I think you want to be the premier.
Or my personal consultant
When I turn to gold, choose any post you want.
Smile.
and fix your earring
Ok, Take it now.
I'll take it but paper is expensive. It'll cost more.
Ok just take the picture. I'll pay for the paper.
Attention.
Take it
Look in the camera.
1,2,3,4,5, that's it.
Why all the pictures?
Good pose.
Take another one.
Paper is expensive.
I have no money but I'll pay you later.
Look in the camera. Done.
What's all these pictures for?
She wants to become president.
She. She wants to become president?
Really funny.
Not now,
it's for school's president.
I want to be school president
That's for now
but she wants to be like Binazir Butto.
She. Woman president.
What are you saying?
Just take the picture..
Look at the camera.
Don't move...1, 2, 3, Done
When I was in Pakistan Binazir Butto was watching a parade
I say it for the good of you, sister
her kids were behind
with their granny.
People were laughing and confused if¡­
she was the premier or her husband.
Good that women gave birth to men
otherwise you would say we were incapable of that too.
Now frown. Good.
Pull your burka over,
Don't laugh
Some vote for a serious frowning person.
You take many pictures
Binazir Butto didn't take as many pictures as this lady.
In Afghanistan it's unknown whether
people vote for a smiling person or a frowning one
so smile one
Take another picture
Politics is serious and wild
To let people vote for her
So frown.
Straight
Now don't smile or frown. Be neutral
Veil
Veil your face
This¡­
is the best picture.
Done
Women should be at home
to iron, sweep and cook.
People will laugh at a pregnant woman,
who is president,
seeing a military parade.
Just take the picture.
Get your money.
Where do you go?
Noqreh£¬where do you go?
Noqreh.
Wait.
You're too impatient to be president.
What did I say to upset you?
This is Afghanistan here.
How many women in Europe and America
became president?
Don't be upset.
Give me an important Post
and I'll take you for real.
Wait.
I know you're not speaking with me
but at least look at the pictures and
choose one for the campaign.
In God's name.
Think not those who die in the path of God
are dead.
What's going on?
Mina was killed. She was killed?.
But on the contrary
they are alive and earn a living with God.
Will you go up to the ruins?
Come up.
Get in girls.
Where are you going?
The whole city is blasphemous.
Women dwell in the streets unveiled.
We leave here for a real Islamic city.
I prefer to die there.
Your son went on a mine and got killed.
It occured in a dusty street
Hi, how are you?
Why do you have my pictures up here?
I'm preparing grounds for your speech.
Have a good talk
If my dad sees it
he'll get mad at me.
The pictures look really good.
I can only speak to myself.
I'm afraid to speak for people.
I get breathless.
My heart beats
and I get nervous.
No, I can't speak to people.
Wait for me, you must rehearse a lot for a good speech.
Prepare well¡­
Presidents,
who lecture well,
practice a lot.
Have you heard practice makes perfect?
Wait, let me tell you a secret
But how did they lecture the first time?
Very easily.
I heard many presidents talk to cows and sheep first
when lecturing people
they see them as cows and sheep.
Let me tell you another secret.
Me, too. I read my poems for cows and sheep before I read them to people.
Cows and sheep don't understand poems.
Poets are inspired by nature and
nature well understands herself.
I want you to read this poem.
I have a poem by a Spanish poet
who wrote it for the death of a cow.
He really liked Cows and sheep and poem.
At five in the afternoon.
It was exactly five in the afternoon.
The rest was death
and death alone¡­
Son, I promised you
You don't keep the promise
I don't want to listen¡­
The damn poem
I want to learn to cry like river
Take away the corpse of ox
by soft cloud
And deep river
Afterwards, we don't know ox
nor fig tree and horse
nor ants in your home
because you have died forever.
Ah, that fatal five in the afternoon.
It was five by all clocks.
It was five in the shade of the afternoon.
"It was five in the shade of the afternoon"
My child, I brought you to
confide in you.
What do you know of my heart?
I can't sigh ¡­
that my daughter-in-law¡­
will know her husband's death
and her baby's become fatherless.
You can't understand this.
You only dig hay and barley.
Did you sigh
when your mate died?
How did you sigh?
Don't worry.
Because how hard¡­
it is not to sigh.
But how hard it is to sigh.
Were you told of your partner's death or
did you find out yourself?
Wrap yourself tightly so baby doesn't catch cold.
She's not crying.
She doesn't take milk either.
What do I do Papa?
We shouldn't have left the city now.
If my husband comes how can he find us?
He'll look all over town in vain.
What should he do?
We should've waited for him.
Then we left with him
Look Papa, do you hear me?
If my husband comes in town
he won't find us.
Then we'll lose each other.
Do you hear me?
The horse is hungry.
The load is too much
and the cart is in pieces.
Poor horse is suffering a lot.
a lot
I'll get off to save the horse.
Papa,
baby's not crying.
Because She's sleep.
She doesn't move either.
It's cold she fell asleep.
Papa, what will I do if she dies?
Noqreh, touch the baby. She's frozen.
See her hand.
It never got this cold.
Her whole body is frozen. It's too frozen.
Touch and look at her.
My child,
my grandchild is frozen.
How can I make a fire?
You only understand hay and barley.
Don't cry
Leylomah.
Not anyone in deep sleep is dead.
I say she's not dead. She'll wake up some time.
Leylomal.
Don't cry
She's not dead.
Shw'll wake up some time.
Leylomah.
Look in the distance.
God has sent someone for us.
May be¡­
he can help us
Don't veil yourself he is an old man.
Hello.
Hello dear.
Do you have water?
There's a dry tree on the hill
with little water.
Go get some, Noqreh.
Give some water to the animals,
Leylomah.
Where were you going?
Kandahar.
Why did your mule die?
Thirst and hunger.
Now he's dying.
We traveled together for 4 months.
Now he's dying. I'm going to...
where am I going?
To Kandahar.
No water ¡­
or villages on the way
and I lost my way.
Why were you going to Kandahar?
I was going to Mola Omar.
The wise have a meeting
whether or not¡­
to turn Bin Laden ...
to the Americans.
I can't agree to turn this Muslim¡­
to the pagan America.
You are very late.
Bin Laden is our guest
and shouldn't be killed by pagans.
You're late dear.
Go back the way you came.
America invaded Afghanistan.
Bin Laden and Mola Omar¡­
escaped.
Kabul is blasphemous.
As if-God forbid-God is dead.
Oh God forgive me
God's rage has descended.
Kabul is close to devour¡­
and bury all people at once.
God doesn't die.
Mules die,
Ox dies
seas dry up,
seas die.
The whole town is blasphemous.
As if God's become profane.
Oh God take back what you gave.
Nothing.
There's no town to ask how far is left.
I'm lost.
No town any more¡­
There's no one to ask so I'll sit right here, forever.
Ah, that fatal five in the afternoon.
It was five by all clocks.
It was five in the shade of the afternoon.
Starring: Agheleh Rezaie
Starring: Abdolgani Yousefrazi
Starring: Marzieh Amiri
Directed by Samira Makhmalbaf
Writing credits: Mohsen Makhmalbaf